Locking bar system

ABSTRACT

A locking bar system having a lock assembly insertable within the bores of aligned lug members. One of the lug members has a passage of predetermined contour formed within an inner wall. The lock assembly includes a lock plug insertable within a locking tube. A locking pin is rigidly secured to and is immovable with respect to the lock plug and passes through a channel formed in a sidewall of the locking tube. The locking pin extends into the passage formed in the lug member with the position of the locking pin within the passage determining whether the system is locked or unlocked. The lock plug is prevented by means of the locking pin from axial movement with respect to the locking tube.

United States Patent 1191 Walters 1451 Nov. 25, 1975 [5 LOCKING BAR SYSTEM 3,827,266 8/1974 Walters 70/104 [75] Inventor: Russell W. Walters, Reading, Pa. P E Alb tG C J I rzmary xammerer raig, r. Assign: E yR 'g z K Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Allan Ratner orporation, ic mon y. 1

[22] Filed: Oct. 4, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 403,460 A locking bar system having a lock assembly insertable within the bores of aligned lug members. One of the lug members has a passage of predetermined con- 9 iggggggg tour formed within an inner wall. The lock assembly Fie'ld 128 134 includes a lock plug insertable within a locking tube. y l A locking pin is rigidly secured to and is immovable h with respect to the lock plug and passes through a channel formed in a sidewall of the locking tube. The locking pin extends into the passage formed in the lug [56] References Clted member with the position of the locking pin within the UNITED STATES PATENTS passage determining whether the system is locked or 1,050,692 1/1913 Resch 70/100 unlocked. The lock plug is prevented by means of the 2,098,139 11/1937 Klstflerw 70/90 locking pin from axial movement with respect to the 3,711,894 1/1973 Walters... 16/144 locking tum 3,739,6ll 6/1973 lgnatjev... 70/364 R 3,817,062 6/1974 Ramdel 70/11 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 5Q /6 r I I a 42. -36 52- 45 32 A 25 i H 67 k 1 I J US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,921,422

US, Patent N0v.25, 1975 Sheet2of2 3,921,422

LOCKING BAR SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to the field of locking systems.

B. Prior Art Locking bar systems having cylinder locks insertable within bores of aligned lug members are known in the art. However, in some cylinder locks, the lock plug is secured to the locking tube by a retainer which passes between the sidewalls of the plug and tube. A wheel puller may be inserted between the walls of the plug and tube to break the retainer element and release the plug from the locking tube. Once the retainer is broken, the plug may be removed from the locking tube and the lock easily opened.

In other prior locking systems, the locking tube is sometimes rotatable within the bores of the aligned lugs. Such prior systems maintain the locking tube within the bores through a set screw inserted within a groove formed in a side-wall of the locking tube. By applying torque to the lock assembly mechanism in prior systems, the set screw may be destroyed thus releasing the locking tube within the bores for removal of the lock assembly from the lug members.

In some other prior locking systems, the locking tube is not formed of hardened steel having a shoulder to protect the inserted lock plug from external drilling. Such prior systems permit a drill to bore through an external wall ofthe locking tube and destroy the lock plug side bar which secures the lock plug to the locking tube. In such an event, the lock plug may be removed from the locking tube thus opening the lock system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A bar lock system having at least one strike plate with a bore opening having an inner wall. A passage of predetermined contour is formed within the inner wall. A locking tube is insertable within the bore opening with at least one opening passing through the side wall thereof. Lock means is disposed within and is rotatable with respect to the locking tube. A locking pin is rigidly secured to and immovable with respect to the lock means. The locking pin extends through the side wall opening and into the passage so that the lock means is partially rotatable for moving the locking pin within the passage. It is in this way that the lock means is prevented, by means of the locking pin, from axial movement with respect to the locking tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the locking bar system showing a lock assembly mechanism inserted within aligned lug members formed on a pair of strike plates;-

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of a portion of the locking bar system taken along the section lines 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the locking tube; and

FIG. 9 is a cut-away view ofa lug showing the passage for the locking pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIGS. 17, there is shown locking bar system 10 which provides a mechanism for constraining opposing movable section elements or door members 12 and 14 each to the other as shown in FIG. 1. This improved locking bar system is similar to the locking assemblies described in my US. Pat. No. 3,7ll,894, Locking Bar Assembly and my copending patent applications Ser. No. 277, 565. filed Aug. 3. 1972 now US. Pat. No. 3,827,266 and Ser. No. 365,099, filed June 5, I973. As will be shown and described, the improvement of system 10 includes the concepts of providing additional shear loading force constraints for the locking mechanism as well as to additionally protect the lock when mounted in system 10 in order to increase imperviousness to external attack.

In general, locking bar system 10 includes a pair of strike plates 16, 18 having lug members 28, 30 formed thereon as shown in FIG. 1. Each strike plate 16, 18 is secured to a respective door member 12, 14 in a manner such that lugs 28, 30 can be aligned in a predetermined direction, substantially that direction being defined by longitudinally directed arrow 22. Lock assembly 20 is then insertable through aligned lug members 28, 30 in order to maintain an immovable relation between door members 12 and 14.

Each of strike plates 16, 18 may be mounted to respective movable section elements 12, 14 through a plurality of bolts 31 inserted through openings 32 (shown in FIG. 2) and attached to doors 12, 14. As shown in FIG. 2, strike plates 16, 18 are formed in an L shaped configuration and operationally positioned in a manner to permit alignment between lug members 28 and 30 in the direction substantially defined by the orientation of arrow 22. When lug members 28 and 30 are thus aligned, bore openings 34 and 36 are in themselves aligned each with respect to the other. Thus, geometrically, each of strike plates 16 and 18 may be formed in one piece construction with lugs 28 and 30 forming a base element of the overall L configuration and longitudinally directed frame 33 forming the vertical element.

In general, lock assembly 20 includes cylinder lock or lock plug 56 insertable within locking tube 62 as is seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Assembly 20 has locking pin 58 of constant extension therefrom to be movably actuated within passage 65 formed within an inner wall defined by bore 36 of lug member 30.

Lock plug 56 may be of standard construction and well known in the prior art. One of such lock plugs 56 used successfully is produced by Medico Lock Co. and includes a longitudinally extended housing or frame 74. Locking pin opening 76 is formed through a sidewall of housing 74 to secure locking pin 58. Pin opening 76 has a diameter slightly less than the relaxed external diameter of locking pin 58 in order that a force fit between the inserted pin 58 and housing 74 may be formed. In general, opening 76 passes through housing or frame 74 in order that locking pin 58 may be forceably re moved if necessary. Locking pin 58 passes through channel 64 and prevents longitudinal removal of plug 56 from tube 62. Pin 58 may be a C shaped roll pin formed of steel and providing high shear strength between plug 56 and tube 62. In tests run, over four tons of force were required to be exerted before pin 58 was sheared and plug 56 removed from tube 62.

In other modes of construction. locking pin 58 may be fixedly mounted to lock plug 56 through welding. bolting or other like techniques. the important criteria being that locking pin 58 be securely fastened and immovable with respect to plug 56.

In operation. and as is standard. lock plug 56 includes side bar 78 which extends throughout a portion of the longitudinal length of housing 74. Side bar 78 further extends above the surface of a sidewall of housing 74 and is locked in that position when a key (not shown) is not inserted within key insert opening 80. Upon insertion of a key side bar 78 becomes movable in a direction radial to the axis of plug 56 and may be forced flush with the sidewall when the key is turned thereby turning the plug.

Lock plug 56 is insertable within locking tube bore 82 in a manner such that side bar 78 is received by locking tube groove 84. Locking tube or lock shell 62 is formed of hardened steel or some like material to protect the inserted lock plug 56 from external attack. Thus side bar 78 is inserted and sits within a groove 84 formed in hardened steel and is thus protected from external drilling. Further protection for side bar 78 may be accomplished by the insertion of hardened pin elements 87 on a front end face of lock plug 56.

With plug 56 in tube 62, side bar 78 is received fully by locking tube groove 84. When no key is inserted within insert opening 80, side bar 78 is locked into groove 84 and plug 56 is rotatably immovable. When a key having the correct combination is inserted within opening 80, side bar 78 is released from a locked position. As the key is rotated, lock plug 56 is correspondingly rotated and side bar 78 no longer sits within groove 84.

As shown in FIGS. 7 & 8, tube 62 has a shoulder 94 with groove 84 formed within the shoulder as shown. Plug 56 mates with shoulder 94. If face 96 is drilled. in an attempt to drill out the shoulder around groove 84, the drill would likely snap or break on the hardened steel wall of shoulder 94.

Tube or lock shell 62 is insertable within bore openings 36 and 34 of lug members 28 and 30. Locking pin 58 is fixedly secured within locking pin opening 76 and extends through tube channel 64. Channel 64 includes a width slightly in excess of the outer diameter of pin 58 in order to permit pin movement. Additionally, channel 64 has an angular length sufficient to permit rotation of pin 58 through a distance substantially equal to the length of first and second passage extensions 66 and 68 of passage 65. This angular dimension of channel 64 may vary in accordance with dimensional design parameters. however, in practice channel 64 has approximated 40 of the total angular circumference of tube 62 in a number of successful systems. Thus, with plug 56 within shell 62, pin 58 extends through channel 64 and is partially rotatable with respect to tube 62 within channel 64 as the key is turned.

Tube 62 is substantially cylindrical, however. as shown in FIG. 3, tube 62 includes flattened sidewall 86 extending in longitudinal direction 22. Bores 36 and 34 include flattened wall sections 88 and 90 which mate and interface with sidewall 86 of tube 62. In this man ner when tube 62 is inserted within bores 36 and 34, it is fixedly secured with respect to rotational movement. Thus, due to flattened sidewalls 86, 88 and 90, tube 62 may be moved in longitudinal direction 22 within bores 4 34 and 36 but is rotationally immovable with respect thereto.

.Tube surface 86 may include lock pin release opening 92 as shown in FIG. 3. Opening 92 passes through the wall of tube 62 in so that it is aligned with roll pin 58 when roll pin 58 is positioned within longitudinal groove 67. Pin 58 does not extend into opening 92 thereby allowing angular movement of roll pin 58 within locking tube channel 64. In order to remove pin 58 from housing 74, an implement may be inserted through opening 92 to forceably release pin 58 from assembly 20. As shown in FIG. 1. opening 92 is directed toward the rear of system 10 to further decrease any possible external access to pin 58.

Set screw passes through and threadedly engages lower lug 30. Set screw 70 extends into groove 72 and has an external diameter slightly less than the width of groove 72. Thus set screw 70 permits partial longitudinal movement of mechanism 20 within bores 34 and 36 but prevents lock assembly mechanism 20 from falling out of the constraining lug members. Further, the longitudinal length of groove 72 is generally equal to or greater than the longitudinal displacement between passage extensions 66 and 68. In this manner. when mechanism 20 is forced to an uppermost position, locking pin 58 is alighed with upper passage 68 and can be rotated into it.

Pin 58 is further insertable within continuously formed passage 65 of lug 30. Passage 65 includes a predetermined contour having a longitudinal passage groove 67 intersected by first and second extension passages 66 and 68 respectively. The contour of passage 65 is clearly shown in FIG. 9 while locking pin 58 insertion into specific extension passages is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The width of passage 65 throughout its contour is slightly greater than the diameter of locking pin 58 to permit free movement.

Locking bar 10 may be placed in three states of operation. When pin 58 is inserted into first passage 66, such defines an unlocked position permitting plates 16 and 18 to be movable with respect each other. When locking pin 58 is rotated into alignment with longitudinal passage groove 67 such defines a neutral position where mechanism 20 may be moved in longitudinal direction 22 between extension passages 66 and 68. When locking pin 58 is inserted into second extension passage 68, this defines a locked position whereby strike plates 16 and 18 are constrained each to the other since assembly 20 is passed within both bores 34 and 36.

In operation. in the unlocked position, mechanism 20 extends from lower lug 30 (as shown dotted in FIG. 4) and has been removed from upper bore 34. Locking pin 58 rests on a lower surface of passage 65-within first extension passage 66. When pin 58 is positioned at the end of extension passage 66 farthest from groove 67, bar 78 is positioned within tube groove 84. With the key removed, plug 56 is rotatably immovable with re spect to shell 62. Thus assembly 20 is locked to member 30 but lugs 28 and 30 are not constrained to each other and system 10 is in an unlocked position.

Insertion of a correct key into opening 80 releases bar 78 and rotation of lock plug 56 forces side bar 78 from within groove 84. Pin 58 is correspondingly rotated within channel 64 until pin 58 is aligned with groove 67. This is a neutral position and assembly 20 may be moved longitudinally. As assembly 20 is moved upwardly. it enters bore 34 of l'ug member 28 thus constraining strike plates 16 and 18 to each other. Locking pin 58 within groove 67 is shown in the solid lines of FIGS. 5 and 6.

When pin 58 is aligned with second extension 68, the key may be rotated forcing lock plug 56 and pin 58 into extension 68. Note that this alignment of pin 58 and passage 68 may be determined by set screw 70 contacting the lower end of set screw groove 72. Rotation of pin 58 to the end of extension 68 shown dotted in FIGS. 5 and 6 permits side bar 78 to be inserted within tube groove 84. The key may be removed from lock plug 56 thus locking plug 56 to lock shell 62. In this position, lock assembly mechanism 20 is within both bores 34 and 36 and system 10 is in a locked position.

It is thus seen that locking pin 58 passes through hardened steel locking tube 62 atall times. In order to forceably remove and pull mechanism from lugs 28 and 30, locking pin 58 must be sheared through the hardened tube 62. In successfully built systems, roll pin 58 has withstood up to four tons of shear load. Thus by making pin 58 an integral part of lock plug 56 and passing through a sidewall of tube 62 increased shear load characteristics are provided. Additionally, torque applied to locking tube 62 is taken up by flattened sidewall 86 which prevents rotation of locking tube 62 within bores 34 and 36. Further, pins 87 inserted within front face 96 of lock plug 56 protect tumblers 98 from drilling. Where a drill is used to pass through frontal section 96 of plug 56, it would first encounter pins 87 formed of hardened steel which would impede the drilling action. Further, pertaining to pin 58, it will be noted that it extends into passage 65 in a direction toward door elements 12 and 14. If a drill were used through a sidewall of lug to displace or break pin 58, the drill would first encounter hardened steel tube 62. However, if the drill were able to pass through this obstacle and impinge on pin 58, the drill force would only drive locking pin 58 further into passage 65 of lug member 30 thus causing more of a locking effect and not releasing system 10 from the locked position.

As has been seen, due to the fact that locking pin 58 is formed integral with lock plug 56 and passes through locking tube 62, system 10 can absorb additional shear and torque stresses. However, further load stresses may be absorbed through releasable capturing mechanisms 38 and shown in FIG. 1. This combined element interaction serves to take up or transfer any load stresses incurred at interface 26 (from jimmying or other such attack) to strike plates 16, 18 instead of directly transmitting the load to lock assembly mechanism 20. Each of the overall capturing mechanisms 38, 40 include first mating element or tooth 42 which is formed integral with longitudinally directed frame portion 33 of each strike plate 16 and 18. As is seen, each tooth 42 extends in a lateral direction with respect to longitudinal direction 22 and is insertable within second mating means or channel 44. Channel 44 is formed on a sidewall of each of lug members 28 and 30 and extends through a portion of the circumference thereof. In this manner, elements 42 interface with second mating elements 44 when bores 34 and 36 are aligned in longitudinal direction 22.

It is to be understood, that although channels 44 are shown formed in the lug members 28 and 30 and tooth elements 42 are shown formed on frames 33, that the formation of elements 42 and 44 may be interchanged. Such a transfer would provide for tooth elements or first mating elements 42 to be formed on the lugs 28 6 and 30. Teeth 42 would then be insertable within channels or second mating elements 44 formed on frames 33. Thus the specific construction of capturing mechanisms 38, 40 may be reversed while providing for the same load absorption results.

Channels 44 are seen to include base surfaces 46 having a substantially constant diameter throughout a portion of the lug peripheral surface area. Channel sections 44 also include opposing sidewalls 48 which provide a channel depth greater than the depth of teeth 42. Second mating elements 44 further form a constant diameter channel base surface 46 taken with respect to the base axis. The constant diameter surface 46 extends throughout a portion of the lug 28 or 30 perimeter until channel demarcation line 50 is reached as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is seen that either of strike plates 16 or 18 are free to rotate through a portion of the total lug circumference when bores 34 and 36 are aligned. This freedom of rotation extends to channel demarcation line 50, however, plates 16, 18 are constrained in direction 22 as well as in rotative direction 24.

Thus where external attacking forces are applied at interface 26 with a lever or other mechanism, there is usually applied a torqueing force which tends to move lugs 28 and 30 away from each other in a direction coincident with directional arrow 22. In such cases, first and second mating elements 42 and 44 (whether the teeth are on the lugs 28 and 30 and the channel on frames 33 or the reverse situation) provide reaction forces when sidewalls 48 contact tooth sidewalls 54. The force is transmitted to strike plates 16 and 18 as well as associated lug members 28, 30, thereby substantially alleviating any force stress directly on lock assembly mechanism 20. In this manner, additional structural integrity is provided for system 10.

What is claimed is:

1. A bar lock system comprising:

a. a pair of strike plates having alignable lug members, each of said lug members having a bore opening defining an inner wall. at least one of said lug members having a continuously formed passage of predetermined contour formed within said inner wall;

b. lock assembly means having (1) a locking pin of constant extension therefrom and movably actuated within said passage. (2) a locking tube insertable within said bore openings of said lug members, and (3) lock means positionally located within said locking tube; said locking pin being rigidly secured to and immovable with respect to said lock means said lock means and said locking pin being rotatable with respect to said locking tube through a predetermined angular displacement, and said locking tube being fixedly secured with respect to rotational movement within said bore openings of said lug members.

2. A bar lock system comprising at least one strike plate having a bore opening,

a locking tube insertable with said bore opening and having at least one opening passing through a sidewall thereof,

lock means disposed within and being rotatable with respect to said locking tube,

said bore opening having an inner wall, a passage of predetermined contour formed in said inner wall, and

a locking pin rigidly secured to and immovable with respect to said lock means, said locking pin extend- 7 ing through said sidewall opening and into said passage so that the lock means is partially rotatable for moving said locking pin within said passage but said lock means is prevented by said locking pin from axial movement with respect to the locking tube.

3. The bar lock system of claim 2 in which said lock ing tube is fixedly secured with respect to said bore opening to prevent rotational movement but allow axial movement of said locking tube with respect to said bore opening.

4. The bar lock system as recited in claim 3, where said predetermined contour of said passage includes a pair of passage extensions, each joined to a longitudinally directed groove passing substantially normal to each of said extensions.

5. The bar lock system as recited in claim 4 where said locking pin is rotatably movable within each of said passage extensions responsive to a rotation of said lock means.

6. The bar lock system of claim 2 in which there are provided a pair of strike plates having alignable lug members. each of said lug members having a bore opening.

7. The bar lock system as recited in claim 6 including:

a. first mating means formed on at least one of said strike plates; and,

b. second mating means formed on a sidewall of at least one of said lug members, said first and second mating means being received one in the other.

8. The bar lock system as recited in claim 7 where said first mating means includes a tooth element insertable within a corresponding second mating means for restraining motion between said strike plates in a predetermined direction.

9. The bar lock system as recited in claim 8 where said second mating means includes a channel formed within at least one of said lugs for insertion of at least one tooth element of said first mating means.

10. The bar lock system as recited in claim 7 where said second mating means includes a tooth element insertable within a corresponding first mating means for restraining motion between said strike plates in a predetermined direction.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORECTION Patent No. 22 Dat d November 25, 1975 Inventor(s) Russell rs It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The term of this patent subsequent to June 8, 1991, has been disclaimed.

Signed and Scaled this s [SEAL] f July 1976 Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C Attesting Offi ARSHALL DANN Commissioner vfPalenls and Trademarks 

1. A bar lock system comprising: a. a pair of strike plates having alignable lug members, each of said lug members having a bore opening defining an inner wall, at least one of said lug members having a continuously formed passage of predetermined contour formed within said inner wall; b. lock assembly means having (1) a locking pin of constant extension therefrom and movably actuated within said passage, (2) a locking tube insertable within said bore openings of said lug members, and (3) lock means positionally located within said locking tube; said locking pin being rigidly secured to and immovable with respect to said lock means said lock means and said locking pin being rotatable with respect to said locking tube through a predetermined angular displacement, and said locking tube being fixedly secured with respect to rotational movement within said bore openings of said lug members.
 2. A bar lock system comprising at least one strike plate having a bore opening, a locking tube insertable with said bore opening and having at least one opening passing through a sidewall thereof, lock means disposed within and being rotatable with respect to said locking tube, said bore opening having an inner wall, a passage of predetermined contour formed in said inner wall, and a locking pin rigidly secured to and immovable with respect to said lock means, said locking pin extending through said sidewall opening and into said passage so that the lock means is partially rotatable for moving said locking pin within said passage but said lock means is prevented by said locking pin from axial movement with respect to the locking tube.
 3. The bar lock system of claim 2 in which said locking tube is fixedly secured with respect to said bore opening to prevent rotational movement but allow axial movement of said locking tube with respect to said bore opening.
 4. The bar lock system as recited in claim 3, where said predetermined contour of said passage includes a pair of passage extensions, each joined to a longitudinally directed groove passing substantially normal to each of said extensions.
 5. The bar lock system as recited in claim 4 where said locking pin is rotatably movable within each of said passage extensions responsive to a rotation of said lock means.
 6. The bar lock system of claim 2 in which there are provided a pair of strike plates having alignable lug members, each of said lug members having a bore opening.
 7. The bar lock system as recited in claim 6 including: a. first mating means formed on at least one of said strike plates; and, b. second mating means formed on a sidewall of at least one of said lug members, said first and second mating means being received one in the other.
 8. The bar lock system as recited in claim 7 where said first mating means includes a tooth element insertable within a corresponding second mating means for restraining motion between said strike plates in a predetermined direction.
 9. The bar lock system as recited in claim 8 where said second mating means includes a channel formed within at least one of said lugs for insertion of at least one tooth element of said first mating means.
 10. The bar lock system as recited in claim 7 where said second mating means includes a tooth element insertable within a corresponding first mating means for restraining motion between said strike plates in a predetermined direction. 